Male, Hulhumale Marina

Hulhumalé Yacht Marina sits on the man-made island of Hulhumalé, making it one of the more unusual places to dock in the Maldives — a purpose-built island with a very different feel from the resort atolls. It's a legit yachting hub with proper facilities, and you're well-positioned to hop over to Malé or catch a speedboat toward Crossroads Maldives (tickets run about $11 return from the nearby ferry terminal). Functional yet surrounded by that unmistakable Indian Ocean light — it's a solid base if you're exploring the central atolls.